On Sunday 30th March, over 250 people came together at Madrasah Vali in Blackburn for a special Eid event hosted by Nasr, a Blackburn-based cic (community interest company) focused on supporting the Muslim community. What made this gathering unique was its warm welcome to refugees, migrants and new members of the Muslim community — people who often find themselves isolated or struggling in silence.

The event, full of joyful energy and brotherhood, was organised by Molana Ashraf Varachhia and his team at Nasr. Volunteers from Nasr, around 30 men and women, worked tirelessly to bring the day to life. The programme included activities for all ages, from bouncy castles and football games for boys, to tug of war, henna (mendi) for women, and even a snooker table for some lighthearted competition.

The food reflected the diversity of the attendees, with dishes like naan gosht, soji, drumsticks, and a more casual offering of pizza and chips. Attendees came from a mix of backgrounds, including Syria, Palestine, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Many were migrants who had faced hardship in their journey to settle in the UK, and for some, it was their first Eid celebrated in this country with such a welcoming and festive spirit.

Nasr described the event as full of “lots of energy and smiles”, and emphasised how it helped build “community unity and cohesion”. He pointed out that we often underestimate the level of poverty right on our doorstep. “These are our brothers and sisters. Some of our Muslim community is isolated and we need to bring smiles to our community,” he said. Drawing on the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was always aware of the needs of the poor, Nasr highlighted that such efforts are not just acts of kindness, but part of the Sunnah.

The Eid event was made possible by donations from the local Muslim community, which raised over £2,000. These contributions were used to fund food, activities, and facilities, showing what can be achieved when the community comes together with sincerity and a shared purpose.

Molana Thawbaan, one of the Nasr team, connected the struggles of today’s migrants with the past, reminding us that many of our own grandparents once went through the same process of building a life in a new country. Just as they were supported, he believes we have a duty to support those who are new to our towns and masjids. In Islamic history, there were even waqf (charitable endowments) funds set aside for the needs of the less fortunate and vulnerable.

Molana Thawbaan pointed out that we often underestimate the level of poverty right on our doorstep. “These are our brothers and sisters. Some of our Muslim community is isolated and we need to bring smiles to our community”

Looking ahead, he hopes that this Eid event can be a model for other communities. He aims to scale up this initiative and collaborate with mosques across the country to ensure no one is left behind during Eid. These kinds of events can also boost the Muslim economy by giving local businesses an opportunity to take part and promote their products and services.